Switch-indicator



(No Model.)

W. R. FIELD.

SWITGH INDIOATOR.

Patented Dec. 26, 1882.

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UNITED STATES rrrcn.

ATENT SWITCH-INDICATOR.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,653, dated December 26, 1882.

Application filed April 10, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. FIELD, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relating to Switch-Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

l employ the usual switch lever, or longer, if desired, and provide two or more lateral extensions or arms, one above the other, from each of which I suspend a lantern. The lanterns are held in such position that they are visible from distant points on the track in both directions 'and are held by their supporting-arms at such a distance from the switch lever or bar that they may accommodate themselves to the inclination of the same and hang perpendicularly in all positions of the switch.

Any ordinary or suitable arrangements may he provided for locking the lever; and I provide efficient means for locking the lanterns to prevent their removal by unauthorized persons. The lanterns will by their positions relatively to each other show which way the switch-lever is inclined. By substituting one lantern for another of different colors, and by changing the relative location of the different colors, other required information may be conveyed, according to a prearranged code.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail on a larger scale, representing theend of one of the arms which support the lanterns, and means for holding the same in position thereon.

Similar letters ofreference indicate like parts in both of the figures.

A is an ordinary switch-stand. B isthe switch lever or bar, pivoted at the point I), and operating,throughthecouuected rodO,aswitch of any ordinary or suitablecharacter. (Not represented.) The switch -lever B is preferably longer than usual, or may be that usually employed. 1n the former case care is taken to place the switch-stand sufficiently far from the track to allow for the increased traverse of the upper end of the lever.

B B are arms fixed one above the other (No modeli at widely-different levels on the switch-lever. They lie in the plane of motion of the lever, and are each provided near its outer end with a suitable hook or slot for reliably engaging a lantern.

D D are lanterns, preferably of different colors, being hung on the arms B B and free to maintain their perpendicular positions as the switch-lever is inclined in one oirection or the other. The hooks or slots are sufficiently deep and wide to receive the stoutwire or other ring which" serves as the handle of the lantern and allow it to turn freely.

E is a padlock fitted in the slot or book to prevent the removal of the lantern by unauthorized persons.

The arms B B may be attached to the le vers of our present switch by forking them, as represented, and securing in the required position by bolts or rivets; or they may be tongued and let into the levers or secured in position in any suitable manner.

The arms B B may extend either toward or from the track. In either position the lanterns are plainly seen by the engineer of a train approaching from either direction. The inclination of the line joining the two lights shows him in which position the switchlever B is plaoed,and consequently what is the condition of the switch.

My invention may apply to all classes of switches operated by a lever the inclination of which is varied. I have shown it as applied to a switch in which the lever is sometimes secured in the upright position and sometimes to the extreme right, and at other times to the extreme left. It may apply equally well to switches where the lever is never left in the middle position, but always to the extreme right or left.

Various further modifications may be made in the details. In cases where from the neces sary shortness of the switch-lever B or for other cause it is not practicable to attach both lanterns to the lever, the lowermost lantern may be fixed stationary on the middle line of the stand A. This arrangement will serve when the lever is never brought to rest in the middle position, so that it cannot hide the light in either direction.

Lanterns are the most suitable and efficient of all signals. They are equally good by day or night. Ordinarily, however, they will be removed during the day. They are in common use for other purposes on railroads, and will be always accessible for this purpose. As the switch -bar is moved they are swung so as to not interfere with the light, and the lights will always remain going while the oil holds out, or until the lantern is removed and the light extinguished.

I claim as my invention- The two arms B B one above the other on the switch-lever B, in combination with the lanterns D D and with means E for securing the said lanterns so that they are free to swing in their respective hooks, substantially as herein specified.

In testimony whereot'I have hereunto set my band, at New York city, this 8th day of April, 1882, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. FIELDQ \Vitnesses:

\VM. 0. DEY, CHARLES (J. STETSON. 

